Penalty vs illegal possession of explosives now harsher

MANILA, Philippines - A measure providing harsher penalties for illegal possession and manufacture of explosives is now a law after President Gloria Arroyo signed it last Tuesday. Republic Act 9516 was one of four legislative measures that Arroyo signed into law last Tuesday, Malacañang said on Thursday. RA 9516 amends Presidential Decree No. 1866, on Illegal Possession of Firearms and Explosives. RA 9516 penalizes any person or firm found guilty of the following: • possessing or manufacturing illegal explosives • acquiring or disposing of firearms, ammunition or explosives or instruments used in the manufacture of firearms are subject to stiffer penalties. The law imposes life imprisonment for the following acts: • Unlawful manufacture, sales, acquisition, disposition, importation, or possession of an explosive or incendiary device; • Unlawful manufacture, sale, acquisition, disposition, importation or possession of a part, ingredient, machinery, tool or instrument used or intended to be used for the manufacture, construction, assembly, delivery or detonation; • To the owner, president, manager, director or other responsible officer of any public or private firm, company, corporation or entity who willfully or knowingly allow any explosive or incendiary device or parts thereof owned or controlled by such firm, company, corporation or entity to be used by any person or persons found guilty of committing the two preceding unlawful acts; "Mere possession of any explosive or incendiary device shall be prima facie evidence that the person had knowledge of the existence and the explosive or incendiary character of the device, or the mere possession of any part, ingredient, machinery, tool or instrument directly used in the manufacture, construction, assembly, delivery or detonation of any explosive or incendiary device, by any person whose business," the law said. Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said Arroyo also signed RA 9513 or the Renewable Energy Act of 2008 on Dec. 16, 2008; RA 9514 or the Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008 and RA 9515, an Act Defining the Liability of Ship Agents in the Tramp Service on Dec. 19, 2008. Under RA 9513, the Department of Energy is mandated to implement the provisions of the Act and to create the National Renewable Energy Board (NREB) which grants incentives to renewable energy projects and activities. On the other hand, RA 9514 establishes a comprehensive Fire Code of the Philippines and repeals Presidential Decree 1185, the old Fire Code passed on Aug. 26, 1977. RA 9515 defines the liability of ship agents in the tramp service. - GMANews.TV